Washington: Cars from a passenger train derailed early today in the US state of Kansas, with some 20 passengers taken to the hospital but no initial reports of life-threatening injuries, rail carrier Amtrak said.

Two local hospitals that received passengers also confirmed that they were not treating any critical wounds, Wichita broadcaster KSN reported.

The Los Angeles to Chicago Amtrak train, which derailed just after midnight some 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of Dodge City, was carrying 128 passengers and 14 crew members.

The Kansas Highway Patrol told US media that five cars were on their side.

Amtrak said in a statement that those not at the hospital would be taken to a recreation center and provided alternate transportation.

The track on which the accident occurred is owned and operated by BNSF Railway, which Amtrak is working with to investigate the cause of the accident, the statement said.

The Red Cross was at the scene providing assistance and emergency responders had provided on-site care, it added.